Transfagarasan – One of the World’s Best Road Trip

The Transfagarasan is the most renowned road in Romania, in Europe and even in the rest of the world. Recommended by the height at which it was built, its beautiful landscapes and its many switchbacks.
Built between 1970-1974 on the personal orders of communist politician and Dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, the highway stretches some 150 km, passing over the Fagaras Mountains located in Transylvania.

Are you planning to visit the historical region of Transylvania this summer? You should know that there are plenty of places to see among which we strongly recommend the Transfagarasan road. This experience will allow you to enjoy an amazing drive while admiring some of the best and beautiful sceneries as well as the spectacular valley.
We strongly encourage you to make the most of your time in Transylvania and because we want you to enjoy as many of the high variety of attractions, we will present you a few of them in order to add on your ‘’must-see’’ list beside the amazing route of Transfagarasan.

What to see when driving on the Transfagarasan road

• Balea Lake is a marvelous place from where you can start a short and beautiful hike reaching a 2500 meters peak. During winter this place is host of a ice hotel, offering you a new and unique experience. Check here our tour to the hotel of ice in Romania.

• Poenari, a fascinating fortress which is considered to be the authentic Dracula’s Castle and is situated on a rocky hill at the north of the Arefu village and can be reached by climbing 1480 steps.

• Vidraru dam offers a beautiful landscape and can also be admired by enjoying a boat ride.

• Visit the Curtea de Arges Monastery and here you will find out about the famous Romanian legend, called “the legend of the master Manole” related to the monastery’s story of construction.

• Stan’s Valley Canyon is probably the most popular canyon located in Romania. Here you can delight yourself with a short and easy hike which offers some incredible panoramas of waterfalls.

Facts about Transfagarasan

You might wonder why is this road so famous and one of the main attractions in Romania? When it comes to facts about Transfagarasan road we have to mention the following:

• This enchanting road has a length of approximately 150 km and connects two famous historical regions: Wallachia and Transylvania.
• In 2009, while filming a Top Gear show in Romania, Jeremy Clarkson rated this road as “the best road in the world”.
• Some rumors state that the idea of building a road that crosses the Fagaras Mountains belonged to the former communist leader Nicolae Ceausescu; however, the sketches and plans were realized before the year of 1960.
• The road works started in December 1969.  Mainly civilian workers were hired to execute this big project because of the consistent salary offered.
• The road was completed on September 20, 1974 and the communist leader Ceausescu was present at the inauguration.
• The construction of this road has also demanded human sacrifices from both the military as well as civilians. Official figures show that around 40 people have given their lives to build the majestic Transfagarasan.
• The highest point reached via Transfagarasan is at 2042 meters located in the tunnel area near Balea Lake.
• For the construction were necessary 3 million tons of rock and more than 6520 tons of TNT .